7/30: OAK @ BOS

1) Jon Lester: 104 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), 3 Cutters (all in 6th)

• Lester came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a power 12-6 curve with good depth, a change with good fade from righties with a little sink and a cutter with good cut.

1st: FB (94-98), CB (80), CU (87)

2nd: FB (93-97), CB (78-79), Cut (90)

3rd: FB (92-96), CB (78-82), Cut (88-90)

4th: FB (93-97), CB (80), Cut (90-92)

5th: FB (94-97), CB (82), CU (88)

6th: FB (92-98), CB (79-83), CU (88), Cut (88-92)

2) Gio Gonzalez: 107 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 7 Curveballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th), Changeup (3rd)

• Gonzalez is a 5-11, 195 pound lefty. The 23 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp 10-4 with solid depth and is a strikeout pitch. His change has good fade and some sink. As a starter, he probably profiles as a # 3 or 4 due to some command issues (though he showed none in this game) and as a reliever profiles as a potential set-up man that can get out both lefties and righties.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (81-82)

2nd: FB (91-94), CB (78-82)

3rd: FB (91-95), CB (78-82), CU (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (80-82), CU (85)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (80-82), CU (85-87)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (78-83), CU (87)

3) Manny Delcarmen: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Changeup (7th)

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties with sink and he will throw the change to righties.

6th: FB (93-96), CU (83)

7th: FB (95-97), CU (82-84)

4) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Springer came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with good cut.

6th: FB (94-96), Cut (86)

5) Michael Wuertz: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little tail and a 2-7 slider that is sharp with above average bite.

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-87)

6) Craig Breslow: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 and showed a 11-5 curve with solid depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (89-92), CB (72)

7) Santiago Casilla: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (95-98), SL (86-87), CU (87)

8) Daniel Bard: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Bard came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (98-101), SL (84-86)

9) Jonathan Papelbon: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter

• Papelbon came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with good dive and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (98-99), SL (87-88), Split (94)

Score: OAK @ BOS

1) Trevor Cahill: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 6 Changeups (1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 5th) and a Curveball (5th)

• Cahill came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with above average run in on righties and great late sink, a straight 4-seam, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with good late fade from lefties and good late sink, a fairly flat 2-7 slider with okay bite and a 1-7 curve with average depth. Cahill really struggles to command his fastball at times and that causes him to have throw pitches to the middle of the plate. He also needs to develop one of the curve or slider to at least major league average.

1st: FB (89-93), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (89-93), CU (80-85)

3rd: FB (89-94), CU (79-82), SL (84-86), CB (80)

4th: FB (86-92), CU (80-82), SL (82-86), CB (79)

5th: FB (87-91), CU (79-81), SL (84), CB (79-80)

2) Josh Beckett: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (1st, 5th, 6th), 5 Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th), Changeup (4th)

• Beckett came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 1-7 curve with above average depth and is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch that he can throw for strikes or bounce at will, a change with good dive that he will throw to righties and a cutter with solid cut.

1st: FB (95-97), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (95-97), CB (79-80)

3rd: FB (93-96), CB (79), CU (90-92)

4th: FB (94-96), CB (78-80), CU (90)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (78-79), Cut (94)

6th: FB (93-96), CB (76-80), CU (89), Cut (93)

7th: FB (93-94), CB (76)

3) Santiago Casilla: 25 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a change with some fade form lefties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

6th: FB (94-97), SL (84-89), CU (88)

4) Edgar Gonzalez: 35 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Gonzalez is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and has a little bit of a gut. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a slow 1-7 with average depth. His change has some fade from lefties that he will throw 2-0 to righties. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. He will also drop down and throw frisbee sliders at random times. He throws a lot of pitches and not one is better then league average. 4-A guy.

7th: FB (90-93), CB (73-75), CU (78-79), SL (77-79), Cut (84-85)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (74), SL (79), F-SL (73)

5) Daniel Bard: 21 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Bard came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Please watch video of this guy. His mechanics are so quiet and looks to be throwing low 90's and then the gun says 100. It is incredible.

8th: FB (97-100), SL (83-87)

6) Manny Delcarmen: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties with solid sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (92-95), CB (76), CU (84)

Chart Observations: 7/24 OAK @ NYY

1) Brett Anderson: 114 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 7th), 6 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

• What a difference seeing him this outing did. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a sharp 11-4 slider with above average bite that served as his out pitch and preferred to throw it down and in on righties, a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 curve with good depth. He definitely has a pretty good shot of being a legit # 2 starter.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-96), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (87-95), SL (81-86), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (81-85), CB (77)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (81-85), CU (83-84), CB (77)

6th: FB (88-94), SL (81-86), CU (82-86), CB (75-78)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (82-83), CB (76-77)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 100 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th)

• Joba is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 that is sharp with average depth. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with average bite. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink. Simply put, his stuff has taken a slight step back as he attempts to get acclimated to starting. That being said, I still think this kid is a future # 2 at least and some better fastball command would be a good first step towards that.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (84)

2nd: FB (91-95), CB (76), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (85)

4th: FB (93-96), CB (78), SL (83-85), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-96), CB( 76), SL (83-86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (76-78), SL (84-85)

7th: FB (91-93), CB (78-80)

8th: FB (90-94)

3) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Springer is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 40 year old has a big frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some late run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with solid bite, a 11-5 curve with average depth that was a little loopy, a change with above average sink that had some tail in on righties and a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CU (73), CB (74-76)

5) Santiago Casilla: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), CU (85-88)

6) Phil Coke: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Coke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run and sink on lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-94), SL (81-83)

7) David Robertson: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a power 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (77-81)

ARI @ OAK

• Trevor Cahill is a 21 year old who stands 6-3 and weighs 210 pounds. He has a medium to big frame that can add a lot more muscle. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a 2-seam sinker at 85-92 (typically sat around 89-91), a slider at 83, a curveball at 77-79 and a changeup at 77-81. His fastball showed great sink and fade and is the first I have seen that is comparable to Brandon Webb's when it is on. His changeup is his best off-speed offering and is above average/borderline plus with it great fade and it looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider was flat and he only threw one. His curveball is a 12-6 offering that is more of a get ahead pitch then a put away pitch. Cahill still has some issues in regards to commanding his stuff within the strike zone and will likely have a little steeper learning curve for command then his peers due to the sheer movement of his fastball. He is a groundball machine with a plus fastball and changeup. He liked to use FB-CU the 1st time through the order and then began mixing his breaking pitches in. Cahill profiles best as a middle of the rotation starter for a contender. It isn't hard to project him to be sitting at 92-94 with his sinker with his frame. It isn't blasphemous to say he could be the next Webb.
• Billy Buckner opposed him. The 25 year old who stands 6-2 and 215 pounds has a medium frame with a lot of room to add muscle. From an over the top release, he showed a fastball at 87-92, a curveball at 76-82 and a changeup at 80-85. His changeup shows some consistent sink, but the fade is inconsistent. His fastball has some movement, but the sink is generated more from him generating a great downhill plane to throw his pitches. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch that shows some bite, but doesn't consistently finish it causing it to hang up in the zone. A classic tweener, I think he is best suited as a swingman in a pen giving you some spot starts. He is still projectable, but you have to wonder just how much more could be there. Likely a guy that bounces between the majors and AAA.
• Craig Breslow made his 1st appearance with the A's and showed a fastball at 87 and a slider at 83 to get his hitter to hit into a double play.
• Esmerling Vasquez is 25 years old and stands 6-1, 175 pounds. His medium frame has a ton of room to add muscle and he is very lanky with long arms, which could make it difficult for him to consistently repeat his mechanics. He threw one fastball at 93 to get his man out.
• Clay Zavada features a mustache that would make Rollie Fingers proud. He is 24 years old and is 6-1 195 pounds with a medium frame that can add more muscle, especially in the lower body. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 87, a slider at 78 and a changeup at 78-80. Zavada's changeup shows good fade and sink and is an above average offering. His slider is a 10-5 type of pitch, but choked the only he threw. Looks like a rare lefty that may be able to get out both righties and lefties due to his above average curve. Profiles best as a middle reliever and could be a teams # 1 lefty out of the pen.
• Santiago Casilla is 28 years old and has a medium (6-0, 200) frame that is maxed out. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 91-95, a slider at 83-86 and a changeup at 85. Casilla's changeup is a show pitch and he likes to go his sharp, late breaking slider to get strikeouts with 2 strikes. His fastball shows a little 2-seam movement. His command is average and that is what is holding him back from being a strong set up guy.
• Jon Rauch is a 30 year old imposing presence (6-11, 290). For such a big guy, he doesn't show great velocity from his maxed out frame, sitting at 91-93 with his fastball, throwing a curve at 75 and a changeup at 85-87. He generates a great downhill plane for his pitches, but his fastball is a straight 4-seam. His changeup is fairly straight and doesn't have a lot of action to it other then the velocity difference. His curveball is a 12-6 offering. He shows above average command and is a solid middle reliever who can set-up and close every once in awhile.

Chart Observations: OAK @ TB

• James Shields started for the Rays and had exquisite command of his stuff. Shields featured a fastball at 88-92, a changeup at 80-84, a cutter at 83-86 and a curveball at 74-78. Shields attacks hitters from an over the top release and, as with many who come from that release, shows an above average curveball. His change is a plus-plus pitch that I didn't think he threw enough in this game (but still fired 8.1 shutout innings) and his cutter is just average. His fastball is above average due to his command. He is a # 2 for a contender.
• Josh Outman opposed him and featured a fastball at 91-94, a slider at 80-83, a changeup at 79-86, a soft curveball at 72-75 and a hard curveball at 76-81 from a high 3/4 release that is almost over the top. Outman liked to use the soft curve early in counts to try and get a cheap strike and would use the hard curve as more of a strikeout pitch. Outman has shown himself very well the 2 times I have seen him, but has left early in both outings due to a high pitch count. Outman has good control, but struggles to command his stuff within the strike zone, causing him to pitch behind and rack up big pitch counts. Potential to be a # 2 starter with a big bump in command, but probably settles in as a middle of the rotation starter.
• Michael Wuertz was 89-90 with his fastball and 82-86 with his slider from an over the top release. Wuertz's slider is a plus pitch due to it's sharp, late breaking action making it difficult for hitters to square or recognize quickly.
• Andrew Bailey was 91-95 with his fastball, 88-92 with his cutter and 75-77 with his curveball from an over the top release. The curveball is an above average offering. This is the 1st time I have seen him where he has thrown more curves then cutters.
• Santiago Casilla was 92-95 with his fastball, 83-86 with his slider and threw a change at 86 from a 3/4 release. Casilla has a max-effort delivery and relies on his strong legs to generate velocity. His slider is an above average pitch that has flashed plus due to it's sharp late break, but he has had some issues commanding it. His change is more of a show-me pitch then anything that can get hitters out and is a below average offering. Casilla's fastball is above average and features a little tailing action as well. Solid middle reliever who, if he can refine his command, could be a set-up guy.
• Russ Springer was 89-91 with his fastball, 84 with the 2 cutters he threw and a curveball at 79 from a high 3/4 release. Solid middle reliever.
• J.P. Howell was at 85-88 with his fastball, 79-81 with his curveball and threw a changeup at 80 from an over the top release. Howell is unique in that his fastball is just average, but he could be a set-up guy due to his plus-plus curveball and above average change. He also has plus command of all his pitches and looks ready to continue building on his breakout year last year. Solid set-up guy. Only worry is that when he doesn't have great command of his off-speed stuff, he is very hittable, as his deception can only help so much.
• Dan Wheeler faced 2 hitters and was 87-88 with his fastball, 80 with his slider and 75 with his curveball. The slider and curve are above average offerings and he is another Tampa Bay reliever who gets by more on command then stuff. Don't know how long he can keep this up as he is another whose fastball will get pounded if there is any regression to the off speed stuff.
• Joe Nelson featured a fastball at 85-87 and a vulcan changeup at 75-78. He is another one of those command and control guys and his change didn't have the same break as it usually does. He also struggled to get ahead of hitters and his deception did not help him when hitters know an 85-87 mile per hour fastball is coming. Solid middle reliever, but I think he is a little over extended as a guy that comes in to hold a lead.
• Aaron Cunningham is a 5-11 205 pound 23 year old outfielder. He is a right handed hitter and has a fairly prototypical stance with a slight crouch and is a little open. He also has a little bat wiggle and for a trigger, he strides and moves his hands back. Very conventional hitter. He has a medium frame that is maxed out. He is not plus on any tool, but is no worse then average on any tool. He has average power potential, he shows an ability to be able to put the ball in play. He is an above average runner. If this sounds like the profile to a 4th OF, it is. He doesn't have the speed to play CF consistenly or the power to play a corner.